Latch.



No. 634,593. Patented Oct. I0, |899.

, A. W. SPRAGUE.

LATCH.

(Appicstion filed Feb. 8, 1899.) (Ilo Modal.) 2 Shasta-Sheet l.

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N5. 634,593. l Y Patented ont. lo, |899.

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LATCH.

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W/TNESSES Y I lum/70H ATTORNEY Figs. 6 and 7 show modifications of partof "UNITED STATES f PATENT OFFICE.

ARTHURW. SPRAGUE, OF AUSTIN, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNO'R, BY MESNE AS-SIGNMENTS, TO THE AMERICAN STEEL AND WIRE COMPANY, 'OF

NEW. JERSEY.

LATCH.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 634,593, dated October10, 18x99.

Application tiled Fehriiary 6,1899.

To LH whom t may concern:

Be it known that I, ARTHUR W. SPRAGUE, residing at Austin, Cook county,in the State of Illinois,'have invented 'certain new and usefulImprovements in Latches or Fastening Devices for Gates and other Uses,of which the following is a description, referring to the drawings as apart of this specification.

The invention relates particularly to selfcatching latches or fastenings for gates,doors, and other uses; and its object is to produce a verysimple and durable device of this nature which shall be inexpensive tomannL facture, yet desirable in appearance and op eration. Indeed thedevice is so simple that it will be readily understood by means of theaccompanying drawings, wherein- I Figure l is an elevation of fence-postand part of a gate provided with my catch or gatefastener ready to allowthe gate to open or close. Fig. 2 shows the same when fastened, so as tohold the gate. Fig. 3 shows the device reversely placed respectively onthe gate and the post. Fig. 4 shows details of part of the device. Fig.5 shows a modification.

the device.

Throughout the drawings like referenceletters indicate like or similarparts.

I have indicated the gates by G and the posts by l?. In Figs. 1 and 2the gate is provided with two projecting studs S, having arelativelysmall neck and relatively large end.' This form serves toprevent any tendency of the latch or fastening device to unfasten by thejarring or slight movement of the parts. The movable member of the catchconsists of a vertically-placed rotary body B, having two loops L andsupported` in position but free to turn by means of two or threebrackets or projections F, which in Figs. l and 2 are iixed to the post.The rotary or movable member B consists of two wires or small barstwisted together to form the shank, separated to form the loops L, andagain twisted together to complete the loops. One of the wires projectsat each end, as at Ein* Fig. 4, to form pins, which project through andturn in the brackets F. When the movable member B is in the positionshown in Fig. l, the gate Serial No. 704,638. v(No model.)

may be swung shut, and by striking one side of the loops it will turnthem into lthe position shown in Fig. 2 and so that the. loops willsurround the projections S and prevent the gate swinging in eitherdirection.

I call the open portions L loops for convenience, though it must not beunderstood that I mean thereby to imply thatl they are formed by loopingthe wire, for this is not the case, as shown in all the figures of thedrawings.

For applying the device to wooden posts I prefer to use spikes havingperforated heads to form the brackets, as shown in Figs. l and 2; but Imay form them of flat iron bars bent to angular shape and secured to theface of the post, as shown in Fig. 5.

In Fig. 3 the device is approximately similar to Figs. l and 2, savethat the brackets are on the gate and the studs are on the post.Preferably I recess the face 'of the post opposite the loops L, as shownin Fig-l, so as to permit the movable member B to lie closer to the postwithout the post interfering with the rotation of the loop L.

In Fig. 3 I show a modification in'which but a single loop L is used.

In Fig. 6 a modification of the rotary member of the fastening device isshown in which the shank B consists of a round iron rod riveted orotherwise secured to the two malleableiron loops L. The projecting endsE are in the form of round pins formed i'ntegrally with loops L.

In Fig. 7 a movable member of my device is shown made of strap-iron,with two small malleable or cast iron blocks forming the ends or pinsE', the several parts being riveted or otherwise secured together, asshown in the figure.

The use of two or more of the loops and two or more of the studs Sfastens the gate at more than one point, and therefore prevents alltendency oE twisting the gate either by slamming it or by pushingagainst it when shut and fastened. to include doors and other hingedbodies.

The movable member of the fastening device may be attached to either thegate or the post; but if attached to the stationary post I use the termgate there will beless possibility of its being ac- I rated to forni oneor more loops at one or cidentally turned, so as to unfasten the gate,than when attached to the gate. I depend on the slight friction of theparts to hold the movable member from turning accidentally.

The features that I claim and desire to seeure by Letters Patent are thefollowing:

In a latch or fastener for gates and the like, the combination of arotary member consisting of two or more Wires or bars twisted togetherfor portions of their length and sepamore points, two or more bracketspivotally supporting the said rotary member and studs cooperating withthe said loop or-loops, sub- I5 stantially asset forth.

Signed this 6th day of January, 1899, at Chicago, Illinois. ARTHUR XV.SPIstAGUEA IVitnesses: v

FRED L. WATSON, TH'os. CHADWICK.

